Manny Gonzales, BS, CPI, CFE

Applied Research & Forensic Services (State of CA Private Investigator License Number: 5060) is located in the City of Escondido, California, about 35 miles north of downtown San Diego, California, and about two plus hours south of downtown Los Angeles, California. The company's services include virtually all aspects of questioned document analysis, utilizing digital photography, digital imaging technology, infrared and ultraviolet irradiation, photomicrography and photomacrography and document dating techniques to resolve many of the questioned document problems presented.

Mr. Gonzales, a Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE), Certified Professional Investigator (CPI), retired U. S. Marine Corps Officer (law enforcement) and Certified Forensic Sciences Instructor ( California Department of Consumer Affairs), has more than 24 years of professional experience involving most aspects of forensic document examination. He acquired this experience in both the private and public sectors, including a stint with the San Diego Police Department, where he was employed as a forensic document examiner in the Forensic Sciences Unit of the crime lab. Mr. Gonzales' experience also includes more than 16 years as a private forensic document examiner, consultant and testifying expert. While employed as a Special Investigator by the Division of Trial Counsel (disciplinary branch) of the State Bar of California, Mr. Gonzales was also a non-compensated Deputy County Clerk in several California counties.

Mr. Gonzales received his apprenticeship in questioned documents, beginning in 1979, at the Riverside County Sheriff's Department while he was employed as a Fraud Investigator (California Peace Officer) by the County of Riverside.

In criminal matters, Mr. Gonzales has been retained on such crimes ranging from theft, prescription forgery to murder. In civil litigation, he has been retained on behalf of plaintiffs and defendants in matters ranging from suspected forged promissory notes of a few thousand dollars to suspected forged documents with values in the millions of dollars. His cases, both criminal and civil, have included high profile or highly publicized figures or incidents. Mr. Gonzales has lectured extensively on questioned documents on a local and international level. He is regarded as an excellent expert witness by those who have retained him to provide expert witness testimony, during which he has provided compelling and pivotal testimony in civil and criminal matters. Mr. Gonzales has also earned the respect of his peers.